ipl-logo

Political Philosophy In William Shakespeare's The Tempest

836 Words4 Pages

Political Philosophy is a wide branch of philosophy that focuses statements and arguments involving political opinion. It is all about state, politics itself, liberty, justice and the idea of authority. It tackles the meaning of government itself, why it is needed, what makes a government legitimate, the freedom of its underman, duties of both government and citizens and other political stuff. This type of philosophy is being practiced since it was discovered and has two reasons. First is the method and approach the philosopher and second is the philosopher's agenda that made him came up with the methods he used. Political Philosophy have major theories that includes Anarchism, Capitalism, Communism, Communitarianism, Conservatism, Contractarianism, …show more content…

During our time analyzing the play, it is indeed a political work and Prospero is a political man. Prospero lives his political life in various stages. This evolution of Prospero's beliefs gives him clever ideas to establish his ideal regime. But Prospero does not begin his political development with merely political ambitions because as Shakespeare introduced him, Prospero was a philosopher. Prospero loves learning, as why he is entitled as a philosopher. In Act One, Scene Two, Prospero explains to her daughter that he was greatly known in Milan for his study and that his books were enough to please him. Also this love for learning was shown in Act Three, Scene One where Miranda urges Ferdinand, The Prince, to rest from labor because she was certain that Prospero is still indulged by his study and is serious about it. This habit of Prospero lead him to his idea on how a nation shall be built and what kind of regime will it be. He developed the said ideas while he was in the island. Prospero, however, haven't fully understand what is politics all along. This is when he observed the politics in Italy when it was established, is quite Machiavellian. Through his Machiavellian manipulation of religion with the help of the spirit Ariel, comes to observe human nature again. His idea of human nature were unfavorable due to the loss of his dukedom to his brother and adding Caliban's

Show More
Related

  • Shakespeare Dbq Essay

    529 Words  | 3 Pages

    A renaissance man is a person with many talents or areas of knowledge. Shakespeare was an outstanding writer. The author might have an interest in Renaissance men. This might be the reason for the writer to be interested in this topic. Shakespeare was a renaissance man.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Caliban And Frederick Douglass

    433 Words  | 2 Pages

    Being a native of his land, he was prone to showing Prospero and Miranda around, only to be then taught a new culture and being

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Marx And Weber: State And Society

    822 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this tradition, political sociology deals with patterns of

    Read More

  • Character Analysis: The Tempest

    756 Words  | 4 Pages

    Prospero played a key role in his own downfall. He, for example, failed to manage his authority. He admits enabling his brother 's treason happened because he gave him a lot of powers and neglected his own duties as the head of state as he concentrates on

    Read More

  • The Feminist Lens In Shakespeare's Othello

    142 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the play Othello, there are many perspectives one could choose. But there is only one view that is appropriate for this topic and that is the feminist view. The feminist lens shows us that Desdemona was more an object of play than a person in love. If you don’t know what it was about, The Othello play is about a guy who is Jealous of a moracin war general. Then causes the general to kill his wife.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Vengeance In The Tempest

    987 Words  | 4 Pages

    In addition to Caliban, Prospero's yearning for vengeance also creates internal issues for himself. After Ferdinand and Miranda announce their marriage, Prospero claims his "rejoicing / At nothing can be more," because he must "perform / Much business appertaining," (Shakespeare, 95-99). Usually, a father focuses more on his daughter getting married, however Prospero can only focus on his plans for vengeance. Some believe that the characters internal struggles were caused by the wrongdoers, and not a lack of forgiveness; however, at the end of the play, after Prospero becomes a more virtuous character, his conflicts with his brother and Caliban are resolved, clearly showing that their focus on vengeance is what caused the internal struggles.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Tempest And Brave New World

    1220 Words  | 5 Pages

    Both characters are considered as rebellious savages that are controlled, Caliban by Prospero and John by the World State. The Tempest can be interpreted as a play about colonialism because when Prospero arrived at the island, he imposed his own rules and put Caliban under slavery, just as Europeans when they took possession of the lands of Americans and enslaved them. From this point of view, Prospero and the World State are very similar because they both use their power to control over people and to preserve their own stability (Prospero using his magic and the World State using soma).

    Read More

  • The Tempest Forgiveness Essay

    881 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Tempest can be seen as a play about reconciliation, forgiveness, and mercy. However, while it is clear that the theme of forgiveness is at the heart of the drama, it is unclear to what extent mercy is given. An examination of Caliban and Ariel and their representations of Prospero’s struggle illustrates that there is little, if any, true forgiveness and reconciliation in The Tempest. Prospero’s actions from the beginning of the play seem to contradict his ultimate aim to forgive those of have wronged him. Prospero seizes the opportunity for revenge with the help of his magic and good fortune.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Power In The Tempest

    1624 Words  | 7 Pages

    The various ways Shakespeare dramatizes and explores power, allows us to obtain a richer impression of the theme of power in The Tempest. Government and authority both carry out important functions in the play. It is the subject of government that initiates the events in the play and it is also the foundation of the progression throughout the play. Prospero is the fundamental piece in the play concerning governance because he used to be the Duke of Milan, but loses his title to his brother Antonio when he devotes too much of his time learning magic rather than ruling his people and seeing his obligations through: “The government I cast upon my brother, [a]nd to my state grew stranger, being transported [a]nd rapt in secret studies,” (p.10). This is also the cause of Prospero and his infant

    Read More

  • Theme Of Nature In The Tempest

    1822 Words  | 8 Pages

    In the play, nature will be predetermined as either good or bad and depending on which, the characters will reflect their nature accordingly through their actions and dialogue. Miranda, Prospero’s daughter, was predetermined as naturally good by Prospero when he says “Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and she said thou wast

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Human Nature In Shakespeare's Othello

    1426 Words  | 6 Pages

    Disadvantageous aspects of human nature unceasingly grow as bigotry increases; thus, dismally impacting mankind as a result. For instance, society becomes controversial in Shakespeare’s Othello when the destructive Iago formulates a plan to entangle almost everyone in the play; naturally, utilizing resources such as ignorance and bewilderment to carry out what he intends. In another event, Sarah Koenig’s Serial podcast portrays society as a system of criminal injustice and biased assumptions when the star of the series, Adnan Syed, becomes convicted of a crime without solid evidence; likewise, in Plato’s “Allegory of the Den,” the prisoners rest chained to their own ignorance with the same unadaptability as those subject to society’s everlasting

    Read More

  • Social Issues In Shakespeare's The Tempest

    1555 Words  | 7 Pages

    The Tempest is a play where a man named, Prospero, was a former duke of a land. He was exiled to an island because his brother, Antonio, usurped his dukedom. Prospero lives on the island with his daughter, Miranda attempting to reattain his title of duke. There are many causes of social issues, and it is important to view these issues on how they affect others.

    Read More

  • Violence In The Tempest

    2448 Words  | 10 Pages

    Unlike Shakespeare’s other main characters, he is much more enigmatic. In they play Prospero is portrayed as the rogue who seeks revenge on his brother Antonio for his treachery. In this Shakespearean comedy it becomes clear that Prospero is the heart of power on the island. Evidently Prospero has been wronged by his brother’s usurping which he could not control and now uses his magic as a tool for controlling the events that occur on island throughout the play. The theme of power in this play is hugely significant as it clear that the violence interrogated in this play is in relation to power and the abuse of that power by the protagonist.

    Read More

  • Power In The Tempest

    1470 Words  | 6 Pages

    Prospero’s decisive advantage in multiple language defines him as the center of power throughout The

    Read More

  • The Tempest Character Analysis

    1123 Words  | 5 Pages

    Shakespeare’s The Tempest is often considered fiction and finds content in expressing characteristics of both the main character, Prospero and differences in the power dynamics affecting his characters. Shakespeare often uses groups of characters to emphasize the complexity of their surroundings and effects on their behavior. The overall repetition of complications faced or caused in relation to Prospero and play an enormous role in the plot, helping to develop both the his feelings and the emotional ties of others regarding him. Shakespeare also varies the diction to place emphasis on the power dynamic and relationships observed between thespians.

    Read More

More about Political Philosophy In William Shakespeare's The Tempest

Open Document